Water Concentration Research Articles

Polymer electrolyte fuel cell operating with nickel foam-based gas diffusion layers: A numerical investigation

Due to their outstanding structural, transport and electrical characteristics, nickel foams serve as excellent candidate materials for gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). In this work, a new three-dimensional PEFC model was developed to explore the local and global fuel cell performance with nickel foam-based GDLs. The fuel cell operating with nickel foam GDLs was shown to have, due to its superior mass and charge transport properties, higher oxygen and water concentration and current density compared to that operating with the conventional carbon fibre-based GDLs. The results show that the pumping power should be taken into account when optimising the dimensions of the flow channels and as such the net power density must be the criterion for optimisation. The optimal dimensions of the flow channels for the fuel cell operating with nickel foam based GDLs were found to be 0.25 mm for the channel height and 1 mm for the channel width; the maximum net power density with these dimensions was around 0.95 W/cm2 which is two times higher than that operating with carbon fibre based GDLs. All the results have been presented and critically discussed.

Analysis of Microplastic Content in Surface Water of the Gajah Mungkur Reservoir in Indonesia

Abstract Dispose of plastic waste into surface water causes microplastic (MPs) pollution, which can pollute water areas such as in Gajah Mungkur Reservoir (GMR) Indonesia. This research aims to analyze the abundance, shape, and polymer type of the MPs found in the GMR area. The samples were collected at three locations (intake SPAM Wosusokas, the hydroelectric power plant (outlet), and the inlet (Check DAM Gedong in Keduang River). The water samples were taken 10 times using a 20 L container and then filtered using a 1.68 mm diameter plankton net (No. 14). Afterward, the sample was analysed using microscopical identification and FTIR-ATR analysis. The abundance and shape of the MPs sample were analyzed using microscopic identification. The polymer type of the sample was analyzed using FTIR analysis. Microplastic distribution in GMR areas was also mapped using a QGIS application. The average abundance of the MPs in the sampling location was 340-820 n/m3. The MPs shape found in the sample were fibre (39%), fragment (11%), and filament (50%). The highest microplastic abundance was found in Check DAM Gedong of Keduang River (inlet). Polymer types of the microplastic sample were polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS). These findings revealed that the MPs are already present at the surface water in Indonesia and threaten the water quality.

Wetlands as a solution to water browning: A 3-year efficiency assessment of outdoor mesocosms.

Water browning is the phenomenon of increasing discoloration in lakes and water courses due to the leaching of organic matter from soils. This process has ecological, economic, and social implications, such as affecting light penetration, oxygen levels, nutrient cycling, drinking water quality, and recreational use. This study investigated the potential of wetlands as a natural solution to mitigate water browning by reducing organic matter and iron. Six mesocosms in pilot scale were set up and studied for 3years for their efficiency to reduce water color, with sampling every 14th day. Parameters measured were the changes in water color, dissolved organic carbon, iron, pH, and conductivity over 3years, under different hydrological and climatic conditions. The results showed that wetlands can decrease water browning by retaining organic matter and iron, especially in vegetated systems. This study showed that long retention times with vegetated shallow systems were needed to reduce the water color by 47%. The decrease of color was primarily due to reduction of iron that decreased by 66%, while the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration decreased by only 6%. These findings highlight the potential of constructed wetlands as a valuable tool for improving water quality and mitigating the impacts of water browning, though further optimization of wetland design and integration with broader land-use strategies is needed to address this complex issue effectively. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Constructed wetlands can mitigate brownification, especially with long retention times and shallow vegetated wetlands. Iron reduction is more strongly correlated with colour reduction than with DOC reduction. Vegetated constructed wetlands reduced the colour concentration of inflow water by 47% after a 14-day retention time. Wetlands need a long retention time to reduce colour, and should be placed far upstream in the watershed. Vegetated systems may use alternative pathways, like biofilm formation, to reduce humic substances, independent of UV exposure.

Evaluation of fipronil efficacy and first molecular report of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) gated chloride channel gene of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks in China and Pakistan.

Evaluation of fipronil efficacy and first molecular report of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) gated chloride channel gene of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks in China and Pakistan.

Using δ65Cu and δ34S to determine the fate of copper in stream waters draining porphyry mineralization: Implications for exploration targeting

Using δ65Cu and δ34S to determine the fate of copper in stream waters draining porphyry mineralization: Implications for exploration targeting

Microplastics in 132 Iowa lakes and variability in relation to abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors.

Microplastics in 132 Iowa lakes and variability in relation to abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors.

Baseline tritium measurements in Thailand's water bodies: Supporting sustainable nuclear energy development.

Baseline tritium measurements in Thailand's water bodies: Supporting sustainable nuclear energy development.

Dynamics of potassium concentration in paddy field water, soil and plant affected by potassium fertilizer levels

Dynamics of potassium concentration in paddy field water, soil and plant affected by potassium fertilizer levels

Coconut Water and Mycorrhizae as Organic and Biofertilizers as an Alternative to Mineral Fertilizers for Soybean

Abstract In a field experiment conducted on June 11, 2024, at the Al-Buaitha Research Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Anbar, the effects of the interaction between mycorrhiza, phosphate rock (PR), and foliar application of coconut water on the growth and production of soybean were examined. First, there were three different concentrations of coconut water (C0, C10%, and C20%) in the experiment. The second factor is a combination of mycorrhiza fungus and phosphate rock with mineral fertilization, namely: half of the fertilizerrecommendation (M0), mycorrhiza fungus with half of the fertilizerrecommendation (M1), phosphate rock with half of the fertilizerrecommendation (M2), a combination of mycorrhiza with phosphate rock without a fertilizer recommendation (M3). The design of the RCBD was adopted for this experiment and using the arrangement of split-plot and three replications, the coconut water concentrations occupied the main plots, and the subplots were occupied by the combination of mycorrhiza with phosphate rock and mineral fertilization. As for spraying with coconut water according to the study, 20% and 10% affect all characteristics above and in the same order and averaged : (120.50 and 173.60 pod plant−1 ،(2.34 and 2.46 seed pod−1), (3.87 and 4.33 cm), (11.06 and 14.20 gm), (2.39 and 2.60 t ha−1). While the overlap of the two factors achieved the studied experiment positive results, recording the highest values mentioned above Namely: 195.70 pod plant−1, 2.79 seed pod−1, 4.77 cm, 17.70 gm, 3.00 t ha −1 .

Effect of drinking water salinity on lactating cows’ water and feed intake, milk yield, and rumen physiology

Effect of drinking water salinity on lactating cows’ water and feed intake, milk yield, and rumen physiology

Spatial distribution of health risk assessment of a drinking water reservoir exposed to urban agglomeration and industrial lead contamination in Istanbul, Türkiye.

The Ömerli Dam, supplied by multiple rivers that provide a major amount of Istanbul's water demands for drinking and irrigation, is experiencing toxicological threats due to rapid expansion, increased industrial activity, and population growth in light of the impending global drought. In this study, multivariate statistical analysis and spatial distribution based on geographic information system (GIS) was used to examine the status of pollution and health risk, irrigation water quality, and stochastic geo-environmental risk sources of 16 potentially toxic elements (PTEs: Na, Mg, K, Ca, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) concentrations from samples in the dam. Also, spatial analyzing of quality indices was used to assess the dam's feasibility for irrigation and drinking. As per the results of the study, the dam water has mild heavy metal (loid) pollution, which is measured at 16 PTE by the heavy metal (loid) pollution index (HPI) and heavy metal (loid) evaluation index (HEI) values. The pollution level is low during the rainy season and moderate during the dry season. The water at sampling station S3 (HPI = 146.50) is unfit for consumption and cannot be used for drinking. The majority of harmful metal species exhibited elevated concentrations (notably Pb: 51.78 μg/L, Cr: 8.55 μg/L) in the dam lake water, particularly during the dry season. The toxic metals Pb and Cd account for 15.95% of the total variance, with a high degree of loading. Lead concentrations were found to be above WHO and USEPA limit values only in S2 and S4 during the wet season, but above 0.01 mg/L in all stations except S1 during the dry. Dam water is acceptable for agricultural use, according on the results of the, sodium absorption rate, the percentage of Na and the magnesium damage index, average SAR < 0.9, Na% < 25, and MH < 50, respectively. HQingestion and HI values (all less than 1 in all PTEs) indicate that noncarcinogenic impacts might occur. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Ömerli Dam provides most of the drinking and potable water needs of a mega city like Istanbul. With this study, toxic metal pollution of dam surface water and its possible effects on human health were analyzed for the first time on a spatially wide scale.

Integrated assessment of heavy metal pollution in the great bačka canal: Comparing active and passive sampling methods.

Integrated assessment of heavy metal pollution in the great bačka canal: Comparing active and passive sampling methods.

A global review on perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the riverine systems: Environmental behaviours and risks implications.

A global review on perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the riverine systems: Environmental behaviours and risks implications.

Analysis of contaminant concentration in pool water as a function of filter cycle duration

Analysis of contaminant concentration in pool water as a function of filter cycle duration

Nuclear accident-derived 129I in several river water, eastern Fukushima, Japan, 2016-2020.

Nuclear accident-derived 129I in several river water, eastern Fukushima, Japan, 2016-2020.

Effects of particle concentration in river water on survival of juvenile chum salmon in hatcheries

Effects of particle concentration in river water on survival of juvenile chum salmon in hatcheries

Investigation of adsorption parameters of saxitoxin onto loblolly pine-derived biochar synthesized at various pyrolysis temperature.

Investigation of adsorption parameters of saxitoxin onto loblolly pine-derived biochar synthesized at various pyrolysis temperature.

Transformation and accumulation of selenium nanoparticles in the soil-rice system under different water management.

The effects of foliar application of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on rice growth and Se accumulation has been studied, but soil application of SeNPs on rice Se uptake and its transformation in soil remain limited. Water management is a key agronomic practice in rice cultivation. This study examined the effects of varying water management regimes (continuous flooding [CF] and alternating wet and dry [AWD]) and concentrations (0, 0.5, and 2 mg·kg-1) of SeNPs on rice growth, Se accumulation, soil Se transformations, and bacterial communities in a pot experiment. Results revealed that soil-applied SeNPs enhanced growth and Se accumulation of rice. Compared with CF treatment, AWD treatment promoted the accumulation of Se in rice but decreased leaf photosynthetic activity and Se content in leaf organelles. After soil application of SeNPs, soil Se fractions were dominated by organic-bound Se (OM-Se) and residual Se (RES-Se). SeNPs in soil have higher transformation rate at low concentration and AWD water management. Water management and SeNP application jointly affected the rhizosphere bacterial community structure. 2 mg·kg-1 SeNPs increased Chloroflexi abundance by 12.3 % and 30.6 % in CF and AWD water management, respectively. The increase in Chloroflexi abundance facilitated the conversion of stable Se fractions (OM-Se and RES-Se) to active Se fractions (soluble Se and carbonate bound Se) in soil. The present study may provide theoretical support for Se biofortification in rice grown in Se-deficient regions.

Novel evidence of arsenic-related excess adiposity and its implication in the risk of cardiometabolic diseases.

Novel evidence of arsenic-related excess adiposity and its implication in the risk of cardiometabolic diseases.

A POCIS-based approach for the monitoring of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants: Calibration and deployment challenges.

A POCIS-based approach for the monitoring of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants: Calibration and deployment challenges.